Stamp-moistener and envelop-sealer.



Patented Aug. I5, I899.

H. A. & R. B. BUSTWICK.

STAMP MOISTENER AND ENVELOP SEALER.

(Application filed Feb. 15, 1699.)

(No Model.) I

INVENTORS v ,Kargfl.Ba-SW. fitdazawm.

'n rromveys.

m: uonms wz'rzns ca, wovaumu, wAsHmum, n. c.

V UNITED} STATES-- PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY A. BOSTWICK AND ROLLA B. BOSTWICK, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYL- VANIA.

STAM P-M OISTEN ER AND ENVELOP-SEALER.

srncI'FI'cATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,104, dated August 15, 1899. Application filed February 15; 1899. Serial No. 705,533. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, HARRY A. BOSTWICK and RoLLA B. BosTwIoK, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Moisteners and Envelop-Sealers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

- Our invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in stamp and envelop moisteners.

The object of our invention is to construct a machine of this character which will feed, cut, and apply stamps to an envelop, as well as moisten the envelop to allow of the adhesion of the stamp thereto, as well as to moisten the flap of the envelop for sealing the same.

Our invention finally consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views thereof, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of our improved apparatus, showing the envelop attached to a part of the machine for moistening its flap. Fig. '2 is a side view of a portion of our improved machine. Fig. 3 is an inverted side View of a portion of our improved machine. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the stamp-cutting device. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of our improved machine. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the stamp-cutting knife secured to the side of the plunger for causing the stamp to adhere to the envelop. Fig. 7is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional View of the stamp-cutting knife and plunger of the lower portion thereof. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bracket in which is secured a spring for actuating the stampcutting knife.

Referring to the drawings by reference-numerals, 1 indicates a suitable base,upon which is mounted the mechanism for moistening the flap of the envelop, as well as the casing in which operates the various parts for feeding the stamps, cutting the same, and for moisten- 5 5 ing the front of the envelop to allow the stamp to adhere thereto, which is done by means of a plunger. This frame or casing consists of the triangular sides 2 3, in which is arranged a receptacle 4 to receive the water 5, the one side of this receptacle 1 being formed by a partition 6.

7 indicates the front of the frame or casing, and operating between the partition 6 and the front 7 is a hollow plunger 8, which is substantially oblong in shape and has slidably connected to the one side thereof the stampcutting knife 9. This knife 9 is connected by means of the pin 10, which operates through the slot 10, to a bracket 11, which is arranged 7o within the plunger, and the bracket 11 has arranged between the saifie 'and the bottom of the plunger a resistance-spring 12.

13 indicates a lug formed on the inner face of the on tting-knife, as shown, and is adapted 7 5 to abut against the lug 14:, formed on the outer face of the partition 6. The plunger and stamp cutting knife are operated by means of a handle 15, operating through an opening formed in the top 16 of the frame or casing. The handle 15 is hollow and has arrangedtherein a resistance-spring 17, which compresses on the downward movement of the handle by means of a rod 17, which is arranged in the top of the frame or casing, as shown, and causes the same when the pressure is taken off to resume its normal position. The sides 2 3, as well as the partition 6 and front 7, are cut away at their bottom to allow of the insertion on the base of the en- 9o velop, stamp, and a part of the operating mechanism.

Mounted between the sides 2 3 of the frame or casing is a shaft 18, which has mounted thereon a roll of stamps 19. These stamps 5' are adapted to be drawn through-the frictionrollers 20 21, which are mounted within the frame or casing, as shown.

The shaft on which the, upper friction-roller 20 is mounted has mounted on its outer end a gear-wheel 22, which is operated by differential gears 23, which are mounted to a suit- A .M r

able shaft 24, suitably secured in the side 2 of the casing. Formed integral with the shaft 24 is an operating-rod therefor 25, having a dog or pawl 26 secured on its outer face, adapted to operate the gears.

27 indicates a stud or pin formed on the upper end of the rod 25, by which it is con nectcd to the lever-rod 28. This lever-rod 28 is pivotally connected to a rod 29, which operates through the plunger 8.

30 indicates a lever-rod, which is formed with an elongated slot mounted on the rod 29, as shown, and pivotally connected to the side 2 of the frame, as at 31. Mounted on the rod 29, on the opposite end thereof, is an operating-lever 30 for the pad 32. This lever 30 is formed with an elongated irregular slot 33 to allow of the operation of the rod 29 therein. The lever 30 is pivotally connected to the side 3 of the casing, as at 34.

35 indicates a pipe connection between the water-receptacle 4t and the pad 32 for feeding water thereto.

Mounted upon the platform 1 is a waterreceptacle 36, which is connected by the pipes 37 38 to a pad 39, which rests upon the support 40.

41 indicates a suitable bearing or bracket, in which is mounted the friction-rollers 42 43. This bearing is secured to the base by means of the set-screws 414:, operating in the slot 45. Providing the base with the slot and securing the bracket thereto by means of the set-screws allows the bracket or hearing in which the friction-rollers are mounted to be adjustable to different position when desired.

4:6 indicatesra stop, which is arranged on the outer face of the side 2 and arrests the downward movement of the rod 25.

47 and 48 indicate a pair of guides formed on the inner face of the plunger 8, between which the stamp-cutting knife operates.

The operation of our improved device is as follows: Assuming that the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. at of the drawings, the plunger is forced downward by the handle 15, carrying the knife 9 therewith. At the same time the pad 32 is carried over the face of the envelop 49 and moistens the same by means of the pipe connecting the same with the water-receptacle. The knife coming in contact with the stamp will cut the same, and the plunger will press the same firmly upon the face of the envelop, thereby causing the same to adhere thereto. In the meantime the rods 28, 30, and 30 will be in the position as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3. It will be readily apparent that by means of the dog 26 the friction-roller 21, by its gear connections, will revolve, drawing the stamp therethrough to its proper position to be cut and pasted upon the envelop.

The moisting device shown on the base for the flap of the envelopis operated as follows: The flap is placed between the pad 39 and the support 40, which moistens the adhesive substance thereon, and it is drawn through the friction rollers 42 43, thereby sealing the same.

It will of course be observed that the pad 32 is perforated to allow the water to pass therethrough and moisten the upper face of the envelop, as well as the pad 39 being perforated to allow of the water to pass through the pipes 37 38 from the water-receptacle 36, so it will moisten the adhesive substance on the flap of the envelop. When the plunger is forced downwardly, carrying the knife 9 therewith, and as the lug 13 engages the lug 14, the movement thereof will be arrested. Owing to the compression of the spring 17 on the downward movement of the plunger when the same is released the parts will resume their normal position.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of our invention.

Having thus fullydescribed our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the kind described a base or support, a casing or frame mounted on the said support, a spring-actuated plunger op erating in the said casing or frame, a springactuated stamp-cutting knife connected to the said plunger, and means for arresting the downward movement of the said knife, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the character described a base or support, a casing or frame mounted thereon, aspring-actuated plunger operating in the said casing or frame, a spring-actuated knife connected to the said plunger, means formed integral with the one side of the said knife for arresting its downward movement, a pair of friction-rollers arranged within the casing or frame, a shaft adapted to receive a roll of stamps arranged within the said oasing or frame, and means connected to the said plunger adapted to operate one of the said friction-rollers, when the plunger is operated, substantially as set forth.

3. In a device of the character described a base or support, a frame mounted on the said support, a water-receptacle arranged in the said frame, a dampeningpad, connections between the said dampening-pad and said water-receptacle, operating means for the said pad, a spring-actuated plunger arranged within the said frame suitably connected to the operating means for the pad, a spring-ac-' tuated knife suitably connected to the said plunger, means formed integral with the one side of the said knife for arresting its downward movement, substantially as set forth.

4. In a device of the character described a base or support, a frame mounted on the said support, a water-receptacle arranged in the said frame, a dampening-pad, connections between the said dampening-pad and said water-receptacle, operating means for the said pad, a spring-actuated plunger arranged within the said frame suitably connected to the operating means for the pad, a springactuated knife suitably connected to the said plunger, means formed integral with the one side of the said knife for arresting its downward movement, a pair of friction rollers mounted within the said frame, a shaft adapted to carry a roll of stamps arranged in the said frame, and means connected to the said plunger for operating one of the said frictionrollers thereby unwinding the roll of stamps, substantially as set forth.

5. In a device of the character described a base or support, a frame mounted on the said support, a water-receptacle arranged in the said frame, a dampening-pad, connections between the said dampening-pad and said waterreceptacle, operating means for the said pad, a spring-actuated plunger arranged within the said frame connected to the operating means for the pad, a spring-actuated knife suitably connected to the said plunger, means formed integral with the one side of the said knife for arresting its downward movement, a pair of friction-rollers mounted within the said frame, a shaft adapted to carry a roll of stamps arranged in the said frame, rods connected to the said plunger, and means connected to one of the said rods for operating one of the said friction-rollers thereby unwinding the roll of stamps, substantially as set forth.

6. In a device of the character described a base or support a casing or frame mounted thereon suitably cut away at the lower portion of the front thereof, a plunger arranged in the said casing, a handle connected to the said plunger for operating the same, a spring arranged in the said handle, means for compressing the said spring on the downward movement of the handle and plunger, a springdampening-pad and said water-receptacle,

and means connected to the said plunger for operating the said dampening-pad on the operation of the plunger, substantially as set so forth.

7. In a device of the character described a base or support, a frame or casing mounted on the said support, a partition arranged in the said frame or casing, a lug formed on the outer face of the said casing, a spring-actuated plunger operating in the said casing, a bracket arranged within the said plunger, a spring arranged between the said bracket and the bottom of the said plunger, and a stampcutting knife having a lug formed on its in ner face adapted to engage the lug formed on the said partition suitably connected to the said bracket, substantially as set forth.

8. In a device of the character described a base or support, a frame or casing mounted thereon, a spring-actuated plunger operating in the said casing, said plunger provided with a pair of guides on the inner face thereof, and a spring-actuated stamp-cutting knife yieldingly connected to the said plunger operating between the said guides, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY A. BOSTWIOK. ROLLA B. BOSTWIOK. Witnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, H. C. EVERT. 

